Time for bed, said Zebedee

By Katharine MacColl

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POLITICAL satire or counter-cultural television with drug references The Magic Roundabout, which started life way back in 1965 as a French children's programme called Le Manege Enchante is back on our screens, courtesy of Channel 4.

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But how do such unlikely programmes become cult viewing among today's 20 and 30 somethings, and do the repeats explain some of the myths and mysteries of the shows

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Remember the Clangers

Was Bagpuss better than Bod and Jamie and his Magic Torch more fun than Rhubarb and Custard Of course, it all depends who you ask, others might insist on the Flowerpot Men and Mary or Mungo and Midge. Each to their own.

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Sometimes it's the simplest things that we retain most affection for. Paddington, based on the Michael Bond stories and made in very basic animation, is still a student sensation. And another well-remembered favourite is The Wombles, based on Elizabeth Beresford's ecology-minded creatures from Wimbledon Common

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Creativity played a large part in the appeal of these cult programmes. No better example could be plasticine sensation, Morph who first appeared during Take Hart in 1977, closely followed by his destructive accomplice, Chas. And sorry Tony, but it was Morph whom we all tuned in to watch - well, that and 'The Gallery', which during the 1970's peak recieved more than 10,000 pictures a week.

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But really, another spin on the Magic Roundabout, can Channel Four be serious. Next up we'll be seeing a Rainbow revival with Geoffrey, George, Zippy and Bungle taking to the screen Surely today's offerings of Yoho Ahoy, Teletubbies or Pokemon can match the so called classics of the 60s and 70s.